Fence structure



Aug. 17, 1943.

4 Sheets-Sheet l R.LUNDY FENCE STRUCTURE Aug. 17 1943.,

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 X m m a "w w 5 M d gal w Filed Feb. 24, 1941 Aug, 17, 1943., R. LUNDY 2,327,311

FENCE STRUCTURE Fatenteel Aug. 17, 1943 zszrsn UNITED srAT-Es raiser orrice FENCE STRUCTURE' Robert Lundy, South Bend, Ind, V Appiicaticn" February 24, 1941, Serial No. 332,276

I 16 Glaims.

This invention relates to a fence structure, and more particularly is concerned with the provision of a fabricated fence useful for'ornamental enclosure of gardens, lawns and the like. I

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a fence of this type which can be readily assembled at the point of installation, and which is formed of, prefabricated parts so designed and related as to be secured together without the use of any special tools or equipment.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a fence structure which can be definitely positioned to the grade of the particular land upon which it is located; and which is of the picket type and is sodesigned that regardless of the grade or angle of the rails, the pickets will always remain in a vertical position.

Still another feature of the present'invention resides in the design of a ,fence of this type in which the rails can be cut to predetermined lengths and the various fastening mechanisms and the like for securing, the pickets to the rails and for securing the rails to the postscan all be incorporated prior to delivery to'the point of erection, the actual erection of the fence being accomplished in ashort time without the use of any special equipment Or the like. 7 t

A further advantage of the present invention is that the picket spacing can be varied as desired at the time of erection.

A still further advantage of the present construction i the provision of a post and rail assembly whereby the rails have substantially universal connection and support at the posts, and consequently can be angled in any vertical or horizontal position, depending upon the grade and the contour of the enclosure about which the fence is erected.

The particular interlocking arrangements for securing the pickets to the rails is of extreme importance as it allows pivotal movement of the rails relative to the pickets to accommodate the varying grades of theland and, at the same time, insures positive locking of the pickets in position to prevent their displacement from the rails under ordinary usage. This'interlocking arrang ment also provides a uniform symmetrical decorative appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of the presentinvcntion. r

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of a section of fence in erected position embodying the present invention; g a

Figure 2 is a sectional View showing the footing arrangement for a corner post;

Figure 3 is a detail View in elevation showing the universal support of the rail on the post;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 3; V w s Figure 5 is an elevational view of a picket showing the manner in which itis assembled on the upper and lower rails;

Figure 6 is a sectional-view through one of the picket elements taken substantially on line iiof Figure 5; Y

A further advantage provided by the present construction is the provision of a'predeterrnined footing for the posts, so designed that for the erection of the various types of postasuch as corner posts, end posts, and the like, the footing will be arranged, to accommodate the particular stresses to which the post is subject. This eliminates employing post hole diggers and unnecessary labor incident thereto,

It is contemplated that the present construction will employ rolled shapes of sheet metal or the like for both the rail or picket construction with the posts being formed of tubular metal material, or of wood, rubber, plastic, glass or any similar material, ihus a fence having a permanent finish can be provided, eliminating necessity of painting or the like. a

Figure 7 is a transverse sectionshowing the interlocking arrangement between the two picket elements, taken on line 'i-? of Figure 6;- V

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 "showing a modified picket construction;

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on line 95] of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an elevational View showing a modified construction for connecting the rail to the post; V

Figurell isa'more or less diagrammatic View of a footing for a center post construction; and

Figure 12 is a. diagrammatic illustration of a means for permanently securing the picket elements together.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in Figure 1 there is disclosed two posts 5, which posts form one section of a fence embodying the present invention. Connected between the two posts are the upper and lower rail members 6 and '1, respectively; preferably formed of tubular materia and; in the particular embodiment illustrated, being inclined at an angle to the horizontal to accommodate the slo-percf the ground 2. It will be noted that the posts are hollow tub-ular members and are supported in vertical posi tion by means of post supporting assemblies, indicated generally at It. Theseassemblies include a. vertically extending member or stud post l2 which has telescoping engagement within the lower end of the tubular post 5 projecting thereinto, as indicated at I 3, to support the post 5 in true vertical position. The lower end: of the stud post l2 extends into a concrete footing which may be precast if desired and set into the-ground; or may be formed as a dry mix of concrete and gravel which is carried in a suitable form, such as a fiber or paper container, shaped to the required section and finally set in position by the addition of water. At the right hand end of Figure 1, the post supporting assembly) comprises an angle shaped footing, including the one concrete foot hi which extends in thedirection of the rails 6 and l, and a normally-extending foot l5 for supporting the post against stresses at right angles to the direction of the rails.

Preferably, the stud post l2 has normally directed brackets ls secured thereto prior to the addition of the footings i and so that the brackets l5 firmly anchor the stud post within the footings i l and :5, thereby providing a very rigid support for the posts 5. A similar construction is shown for the left hand post 5 in Figure 1, which has the stud post l2 supporting the same vertically, this post being provided with the brackets l6 set into the concrete footings ll, which footings extend in the vertical plane of the rails 6 and I.

Where the footings are poured during erection of the fence, it may be desirable to provide anchors H which are driven into the ground below the excavation for the footing, having projecting angle portions H which then become keyed into the concrete when it is poured.

Considering now in detail Figures 2 and 3 which disclose the connection of the rails 6 and l to the posts 5, the rails may be of tubular rectangular section and are provided in their ends with block members 29 which are preferably secured against axial displacement by means of instruck portions 22 locking the block members in position. Each of the block members is arranged to have incorporated therein a U-shaped bracket 23 which has the ends thereof extending into the block member 26 and locked in position by a transverse pin 25. The base portion of the U- shaped member 23 is adapted to receive the arcuate portion 25 of a supporting member, which has a normally directed lip or flange 26 adapted to be received within the bracket or cleat 21 se cured to the post 5. Each of the cleats 2'1 includes a laterally offset intermediate portion and two end flange portion which are welded as in dicated at 2'! to the'face of the post 5, It' will be seen that by reason of the two U-shaped members 23 and 25 connected the manner shown, the rail ii has substantially universal support on the post 5 for movement in a transverse plane relative thereto, and also for movement in a vertical plane. In order to secure the lip portion 26 of the member 25 against displacement from the post 5, a drive crew 30 or similar sccuring means is provided fer-locking thelip portion 26 within the cleat 21, thus providing a rigid support preventing removal of the rail.

Each of the rails 6 and l in the form of the invention shown in Figure l is provided with a construction of this type at the ends thereof for connection to the posts.

Considering now the mounting of the pickets 32 upon the rails 6 and 1, each of the pickets 32 includes two picket elements 33 and 34, both preferably formed of rolled sections and of general channel formation with inturned edges. The picket element 33 is provided with longitudinally spaced offset portions 35, each of which has on its inner face a stamped strip 35 projecting between the two inturned edges 3-! and preferably spot welded or otherwise secured in position. Intermediate the ends of the strip 35 it is provided with an extruded portion 33 which is adapted to be centered in the longitudinally spaced openings 33 formed in the rails E3 and 7. These openings 39 are spaced a uniform distance apart over the entire length of the rail, and it is apparent that the spacing of the pickets 32 can be varied by allowing a certain number of openings between each of the pickets. In the form of the invention illustrated, the pickets are secured to alternate openings, but it is apparent that they could be secured in the successive openings, or can be arranged to provide any desired spacing. The member or element 33 i also provided at spaced intervals along its open face with bracket members 46, which bracket members, as shown in detail in Figure '7, have a projecting head portion 12 and outturned end flanges 43 which may be spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inturned edges 3'! of the element 33. These brackets with the projecting head portions E2 form suitable clamp for securing the opposite picket element 34 in position. The element 34 is provided with the laterally offset longitudinally spaced portions 44 for surrounding the rails 6 and l, and the edges of this element are provided with cut out portions 45 in the inturned edges 46 thereof which, when the element 34 is initially placed in position against the face of the element 33, receives the head portions 42 of the brackets MI, allowing the facing edges 31 and at of the two elements to come into abutment.

The element 34 is'then moved vertically downwardly while retaining the faces of the two elements in abutment, and the heads c2 of the brackets -ll slide in behind the edges [15 of the element firmly clamping the two elements 33 and 3% together.

.Within each of the oifset portions i l of the element 34 there is provided a strip 4! closing the space between the edges 65, and preferably spot welded into position. The strip 4! is provided with an extruded portion adjacent one end thereof adapted to fit into the opening 35! formed. in the rails 5 and l. The end of the strip 4'! adjacent extruded portion 53 is unsupported so that it may be sprung outwardly into the element during initial positioning, and as the element 35 is moved downwardly into clamped position, this member will spring into the openings 3:? when it moves into alinement therewith. A second closure strip is provided for closing the gap between the edges 43 within the opening formed by the offset portion ill and the rail in order to prevent the accumulation of moisture, dirt and the like within the charms section of the element 34.

Considering now the form of the invention shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pickets in this form of constructionhave been modified so that in place of a rolled section, a solid picket element of desired stock is provided. Also, in place of tubular rails 6 and 1, solid rails 6 and l are provided which have suitable apertures. formed in longitudinally spaced relation! therealong. The picket element 52 of this form of the inven-' tion comprises a piece of flat stock of metal, wood, plastic or the like which is providedwith the offset portions 53 and with longitudinally spaced recesses 54 formed transversely therein. Below each of "therec'es'ses 54 the member 52 is provided with a channel-shaped slot, indicated generally at 55 in Figure 9. The opposite picket elementf56 is also'provided with the offset portions for surroundingthe rails fi' and I, and is provided with suitable projections 58 forming heads, as indicated in Figure 9, adapted to enter into the channel-shaped recesses 55 for clamping the; elements 52 and 56 together. In the assembly of this construction the element 56 is first placed into position in the dotted line arrangement, as indicated in Figure 8, wherein the projections 58 are freely disposed in the recesses 54 with the adjacent faces 59 and 65 of the two elements in abutment. The element 55 is then moved downwardly, moving the projecting heads into the channel-shaped slots for locking the two elements together.

In order to maintain the pickets on the rails, each of the offset portions 53 and 51 of the pickets is provided with the openings 60 and 62, respectively, and when the picket element 52 is first placed into position, a suitable pin 63 is driven through the openings 69 and partially through the rails and 1', thereby locking the picket element 52 to the rails. After the picket element 55 has been moved downwardly into clamped position with respect to the element 52, the pins 53 are driven further to pass through the rails 6' and l, and into the openings 62 of the element 56, the pins preferably being of a length such as to be finally positioned with the ends flush with the outer surfaces of the offset portions 53 and 51 of the picket.

In Figure I have provided a modified form of connection between the posts 5 and the. rails 5. In this form of construction, theend of the rail 6 is adapted to be received within a suitable clevis member H! which is riveted as by means of rivets 12, or otherwise rigidly secured over the end of the railfi. The clevis member 10 has a projecting U- haped bracket 13 corresponding to the bracket 23 of Figures 1 and 2,'which may be welded or otherwise secured to the base of the clevis member, as indicated at. The posts 5 in place of having the cleats 2'! welded thereto, have the cleats '15 provided thereon and screwed into position by means'of the drive screws 16 which firmly secure the c'leat inv position. Mounted within the cleat is a supporting member H which extends into the central offset portion of the cleat l5 for rigid supporttherein and which has at its upper ends, an arcuate portion l3 forming a universal joint connection with the LI-shaped member 13. Preferably, the member 1'? is retained in position by means of a drive screw 19 extending through the opening 80 in the cleat,'and into the member 1'! to retain it against vertical displacement.

It will be noted that in each of the forms of the invention thus far described, the offset portions of the picket elements are of considerably greater vertical extent than the vertical extent f the rails 6, "11,5 and I. This allows the rails to be angled with respect to the vertical extent of the pivots, as indicated diagrammatically in Fig ure 6, without changing the vertical positioning of-the. pickets. Consequently; the pickets remain upright regardless of the contour of the ground upon which the fence is erected.

In Figure 11 I have disclosed a footing construction for a post in which rails extend in all four directions therefrom. This post 5 is suppor ed upon a stud post I2, which in turn has brackets I6 secured at 90 angles thereto. The brackets 56 are each embedded in a concrete footing M which may be precast thereabout, and insures a solid support for the stud 52 with the stud beinganchored against pull in any direction. It is apparent that a T-shaped footing might be provided by eliminating one of the feet l4 and the corresponding bracket on the stud post I2 if a post. was subjected to stresses in only three directions. It is also apparent that the rails may extend at angles with respect to the faces of the posts 5 due to the universal joint connection provided by the members 23 and 25 or the members 13 and ll.

In Figure 12, I'have disclosed diagrammatically a means for securing the picket elements permanently together by means of a rivet driven through the upper end of the picket elements. This may be provided in any of the forms of the invention disclosed if his desired to permanently fix the picket elements against unauthorized removal. However, with the present construction, the fence as erected "without the use of the rivets, may be taken apart readily by merely sliding the extruded portion 48 of the strip 41 out of the rail by the insertion of a suitable instrument between the edges 45 of the element 34 immediately above the rails. The element 36 can then be moved vertically to disengage the clamping relationship with the element Similarly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, removal of the pins 53 will allow the ickets to be disassembled.

It is to be understood that a single picket ele ment may be employed instead of mating elements, attached by means of rivets or the like to the rails for pivotal movement.

Also, the posts 5, if tubular, are provided with openings 98 and 92, at top and bottom for preventing condensation therein. Similarly, if tubular picketsare employed, air holes are provided' for circulation to prevent accumulation of moisture within the elements.

It is therefore believed'apparent that I have provided a novel type of metal fence construction which is capable of innumerable variations of design and styling, and in which the picket elements' will always remain in vertical position regardless of the angularity required in the rails due to the contour of the ground. Further features of the invention include the design of the structure to facilitate rapid assembly and disassembly of the elements, including the rails relative to the posts and the-pickets relative to the rails.

I It is believed obvious that numerous changes in the construction'herein shown might be without in'anyway'departing-from the underlying principles of the present invention, and I therefore do not, intend to be limited except as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fence construction comprising vertical tubular post members, means projecting from the ground for rigidly supporting said posts in position, tubular rails extending between said posts, means forming universal connections between the end of each raii'and the associated posts, and pickets each comprising a pair ofcooperating picket elements adapted to be clamped to said rails at predetermined points therealong, said elements having pivotal connection with said rails wherebyeach picket maintains a true vertical position regardless ofthe inclination oft-he rails relative to a horizontal plane.

2. A fence comprising a pair of spaced posts, an upper and a lower rail having universal connections at their ends to said posts and assuming an inclination therebetween corresponding to the grade of the ground between said posts, a plurality of pickets spaced along said rails intermediate Said posts, each of said pickets comprising mating picket elements adapted to be clamped together on said rails and means in said picket elements for pivo-tally connecting them in clamped position to said rails at predetermined points whereby said connections accommodate inclination of said rails while said pickets remain in parallel vertical position;

3. In a prefabricatedfence, a plurality of vertically spaced rails, pickets for said rails comprisingmating picket elements each having longitudinally spaced laterally oifset portions adapted to fit about said rails, means on said picket elements adapted to interlock said elements in facing engagement, and means in the offset portions of said'elementsoperable upon interlocking thereof for pivotally connecting said pickets to said rails.

i. The construction as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that said rails are tubular in section and provided with longitudinally spaced alined pairs of openings for receiving said pivot means.

5. The construction of claim-3 wherein said offset portions are of appreciably greater length than the height of said rails, whereby said rails may extend at an angle to the horizontal without affecting the vertical positioning of said pickets. I

6. A fence construction comprising a post memher, a pair of longitudinally spaced brackets secured in vertical alinement to said post member and defining vertically opening recesses therewith, a pair of rails, means secured to the end of each of said rails including a projecting clevis,

' an eye member engagingsaid clevis and having an offset flange portion engageable in said recess, and means for securing said flange portion in said recess to provide a universal connection of the rail to said post member.

'7. The construction of claim 6 wherein said rails are of tubular form and said clevis means includes a block member secured in the end of said rail.

8; The construction of claim 6 wherein said rails are solid and said means secured to the ends of said rails includes a U-shaped bracket riveted over the end of the rail, with the clevis projecting therefrom.

9. In a' fence construction, a pluralityof rails having longitudinally spaced transverse openings therethrough, pickets for said rails each comprising two mating picket elements, each element having longitudinally spaced offset portions intermediate the ends thereof for receiving said rails, the mating faces of said elements having means operable'upon relative movement therebetween for locking said elements together to form a picket, said offset portions thereby defining elongated longitudinally extending openings through which said rails extend. i

10. The construction set forth in claim 9 further characterized by the provision of means in said oifset portions engageable insaid rail openings upon locking of said elements together for pivotally connecting said pickets and rails.

11.-The construction of claim 9 wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of interengaging elements on the mating faces of said elements disposed on opposite sides of each of said offset portions.

12. The construction of claim 9 wherein said picket elements are channel-shaped in section with inturned ends, and said locking means includes means carried by one of said elements having a projecting head portion wider than the space between the inturned ends of the other element, and slots formed in the last-named inturned ends for receiving said head portion, said head portion engaging behind said inturned ends upon relative longitudinal movement of said elements when in abutting engagement.

13. The construction of claim 9 wherein said locking means comprise a projecting head on one element and a vertical recess in the face of the other element adapted to receive said head.

14;. In a prefabricated fence construction, a plurality of vertical post members, upper and lower rail members having universal connection at their ends to said post members, longitudinally spaced transverse openings in said rails, and picket members comprising mating elements having means engageable in said openings for pivotally mounting said picket members therein on opposite sides of said rails, said elements having interlocking means for clamping them together in position on said rail members.

15. The construction of claim 14 further characterized by the provision of elongated vertical mating recesses in said picket elements acco nmodating angular positioning of said pickets relative the longitudinal axis of said rail members.

16. In a prefabricated fence construction, a pair of vertically spaced rails having transverse openings spaced regularly longitudinally therealong, two-piece picket members clamped together about said rails and having means enaging in said openings for pivotally securing said picket members invertical position on said rails regardless of the inclination thereof, clevis means at the ends of said rails, eye means engaging said clevis means and having offset flange portions, and posts provided with recesses in which said flange portions may be engaged for universally connecting said rails to said posts.

ROBERT LUNDY. 

